Trader Joe's also said no to Clifton Commons which is located on the freeway, a location that would have made it a destination store for a much broader group of people. I don't think the rent had anything to do with it.

john, there is no other supermarket in Bloomfield. If foodtown is done right where it is nice and clean, they hire customer service oriented employees, then there is a chance it would fit in well. Having a Subway here, well that is another story. Not a good fit at all

Stop and Shop on Frankin St. and the Pathmark and Belmont Ave. Not to mention the A&P on Belliville Ave. and Pathmark a few miles up in Montclair.

the Belmont Avenue Pathmark has a Belleville address

There is a very busy Stop & Shop on Watcessing Avenue. It has a parking lot. I assume these retailers will have free parking like the other markets otherwise failure is guaranteed.

I agree about S&S - I usually shop there as well. I think Pathmark is in Bloomfield. And I went in the new place that took the place of C-Town and was disappointed it is pretty much the same thing.

Correct on the status of the old Blimpie. I've been there and the product is average but has no uniqueness or drawing power.

Super Value, as well as some of the other stores in the area have very nice, congential proprietors. I do think however, that each incoming store needs to be seriously assessed in terms of whether it "increases the desirability of the area" or not.

Although we may currently have a governing body supposedly performing this function, it seems most citizens (and commenters) agree that they're falling short of their purpose.

Does anyone know to what extent we currently do this?

Starting with "If our elected officials are seriously invested..." I agree with your comment.

I personally represent, and am aware of many other active residents in the 3rd Ward who routinely invest in our houses, and grow the community for the better. The perception of most however, is that we're alone in this endevour.

What we need is an educated and compliant governmental body supporting us, in addition to citizens from other wards.

Your suggestions in this area would help.

You need to be the new Mayor for this town! Your suggestions are on target! Major changes and laws changed, need to be made for a positive downtown revitalization. Attorney Baumann's remark, " A Foodtown would be phenomenal for Blfd" said to me that the ink was dry then, deal was sealed behind closed doors. A town hall meeting for the residents to air their concerns and suggestions is another smoke and mirrors event. It reminds me of the sidewalk 3 card monte games in NYC.

why write something clever, its more fun to just watch some of the freak-outs and name calling paranoia sessions in this thread - it's like Baristanet without all the duct tape craft projects :)

@Hannah "theres a wonderful stop and shop that has a police presence there because of the crime". Tell me how is that wonderful? Should i wear a bulletproof vest there when i go shopping with my family? ive lived in bloomfield with my family for over 40 years and would rather spend my money at brookdale shoprite.

There was 1 problem 1 time. Unlike Montclair's Church St/Lackawana area where muggings and mini riots are the norm. I shop at that Stop & Shop weekly and never had a problem. I've also been to the Brookdale shop rite and that place is a horror show Also the center now does have some nice - not fast food - dining options with liquor licenses so not every place has to be an overpriced BYOB. The shops downtown will also have to cater to a growing college population and I'm sure the owner of the Orange Squirrel will tell you it's few and far between that college students dine there.

my apologies, would refering the 3 as a motorway been more appropriate?

people coming from another community to spend their money in Bloomfield is a good thing, so by default you see the benefit of the project

yes it would be a good thing if that community were say Livingston, Short Hills, West Caldwell, etc.

My only point is that we can do a little better and try to get something else into Bloomfield Center. I look at Montclair Center which is like a cute little version of NYC and think, why can't Bloomfield Center be like that?? Or even like our North Center. The NYC train stops right there, those commuters into Manhattan make alot of money and this would be a great opportunity to put something upscale in that area to attract them. In my humble opinion, a food store is not the answer. There has to be something better. A Whole Foods would be better than Foodtown.

you lost me on "say Livingston, Short Hills, West Caldwell" vs East Orange

If i lost you with my reference to those towns then I venture to say you don't know Essex County very well.

I know Livingston and Short Hills, and Milburn; coming into Bloomfield would require some roundabout driving through the suburbs of the county or using mutltiple freeways to get to Bloomfield; Bloomfield is not going to turn into Westfield overnight; East Orange on the other hand is so close to Bloomfield plus there is public transport from EO to BLM

It would turn into one of those towns faster if there was a more upscale business in that area.

The fact of the matter is that the south end of Bloomfield has been on the decline for about the past 20 years. The answer has been for people to just move out and that's sad.

so if the area has been in decline as you assert, and people are just moving out, how is a brand new development that will bring people into the area a bad thing?

I absolutely, positively, without a doubt welcome new development in that area but that does not mean I have to approve what it is they are planning on developing. With your line of thinking, why not just open another strip mall with a liquor store, mcdonald's and a dollar store. Are you invested in this new development in any way?

Hannah, the intent is for the people who live in the apartments in the Center redevelopment would be using the Foodtown. And hello, some of us live in the 3rd ward and might find it more convenient or preferable than Stop & Shop if some people aren't crazy about S&S. Personally I think it is a nice store and even though Shop Rite does have good prices, it is always so crowded and is totally on the other end of town for people in the 3rd Ward. I even go to the West Orange Shop Rite more than the Bloomfield one, as it is closer to my house.

John lee wrote :" Bloomfield is not going to turn into Westfield overnight". John not for nothing but you are hallucinating.

LOL @satish when one goes for the personal attack it proves their theories are full of holes.

No John the A&P is in Bloomfield. Its one of the oldes Bloomfield supermarkets. It just shows how much you know about Bloomfield. Someone on here was right that you are not from around here. You represent "them" not us. If you ever shopped in the A&P a receipt would clearly say "BLOOMFIELD" as an address. People like you should not comment on Bloomfield matters. Please comment under your town.

@satish "people like you" - I think the phrase is "you people"

referring to the Stop & Shop on Broad Street Clifton as a supermarket is a bit unfair; how about a "foodie wonderland!" ~ the produce is top drawer, the bakery uses real vanilla, the butchers will cut or gring your meat to order, and they have real mint sauce (not the mint flavoured apple nonsense that ShopRite and Pathmark offer).

well then I obviously don't, a pox on my house and on the seven generations that follow ~ the food is expiring, the parking lot is filthy, and it smells funny in the area, I obviously thought Belleville

Upper Montclair permitted a Dunkin Donuts on Valley Road and the world did not end. Subway has Olympic athletes endorsing its products, Dunkin Donuts has, well, um, gimme a minute, recycled paper in their take away containers. Bloomfield is getting the better chain.

I agree, Pete. Jack's in Caldwell is great for let's say eggs and milk, picking up some chop meat for burgers tonight, etc. He is too expensive for anything but a small order. His store is certainly not going to draw professional New Yorker's to move into the Center.

A "pull your own" yogurt place would be great. Can you identify a bunch of good candidates? Let's send them some letters, e-mails, and tweets asking them to come.

Thank god for Bloomfield College. If they were not there the area would be indeed one in blight. They are one of the very few bright spots in the area constantly upgrading their beautiful and historic buildings. It's mind boggling that I've heard that some dismiss and almost regret their presence because they are a tax-except entity adding no rateables to the town. What fools.

@ A, Bloomfield will NEVER be another Hoboken. There is only one Hoboken. Even Jersey City tried to turn into Hoboken and besides a few city blocks it did not work out all that great.

Doesn't the developer already own the land except for the parking deck portion? Colgan was buying up that land for a couple of years now. Also, it will indeed be the developer's business to attract retail. Believe me, it is not that easy to get developers to come to Bloomfield. Our neighborhood association was involved in this for years and even contacted businesses ourselves. They were not interested.

Well Hannah, check this out. Now with all those new apartment buildings being constructed, BOE will probably buy back the South Junior School back from the developer at a very inflated market price. Then they will invest $100 million and turn it back into a school as we are running out of classrooms. Kids in schools are packed like rats. In Franklin they are learning in trailers. That is right trailers! This is United States or a third world country?

I believe eminent domain is being considered for the train station and should not be a problem since a train station is clearly a public use.

Agree Bert. This is what generates jobs, wealth and builds a cohesive main street enviroment, not a box supermarket.

Think about it this way, just off the center of Nutley, on what was the Satterwaite estate, there are homes valued at $1million or more that have been there for generations, surely they would fit into the "luxury" category. Nutley has no high end stores whatsoever. Luxury housing and high end retail don't always share the same address.

Put another way, Claireridge House is most certainly luxury multi-unit housing - have you seen the sort of retail located adjacent to the community?

why not? everyone loves a bargain

NBCnews is reporting that Dollar Stores are attracting middle class consumers now. http://lifeinc.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/19/12814582-dollar-stores-not-just-for-cheapskates-anymore?lite&__utma=14933801.974975771.1342396886.1342693183.1342699677.27&__utmb=14933801.1.10.1342699677&__utmc=14933801&__utmx=-&__utmz=14933801.1342396886.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=14933801.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc%7Ccover=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.nbcnews.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=83390870

I am uncertain of the purpose of the sentence fragment "John Lee again" - that sounds like a good reelection of slogan.

Bloomfield has a much brighter future than a community like Nutley due in large part to access its ability to attract shoppers and workers via omnibus, the ability to attract upwardly mobile citizenry because of its proximity on the rail line, plus its proximity to the freeway.

what's a casino in Vegas, or city in Egypt, have to do with anything about which is being discussed in this thread?

NO ONE said LUXOR

lux·u·ry   /ˈlʌkʃəri, ˈlʌgʒə-/ Show Spelled [luhk-shuh-ree, luhg-zhuh-] Show IPA noun, plural lux·u·ries, adjective
noun
1. a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity: Gold cufflinks were a luxury not allowed for in his budget.
2. free or habitual indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being: a life of luxury on the French Riviera.
3. a means of ministering to such indulgence or enjoyment: This travel plan gives you the luxury of choosing which countries you can visit.
4. a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself: the luxury of an extra piece of the cake.
5. a foolish or worthless form of self-indulgence: the luxury of self-pity.
EXPAND

I'm not familiar with the word "luxory"

obviously!

I looked up "luxory" in my gigantic unabridged dictionary and again on dictionary.com and cannot find a definition for the word

so then a moderately priced supermarket such as Foodtown would be a welcomed addition to Bloomfield

its going to take a long time for this project to get going, and even longer before the space can be occupied. It just doesn't make sense to commit to a space if the space itself doesn't have a construction start date, let alone a completion date.

That being said, I know several restauranteurs who are listening carefully to what's going on because they like what's going on with the development. Bloomfield Center is on more people's radar than you know.

Seems like you may have a "vested" interest hrhppg. Who carries change today except for maybe the kind of people you don't like. Millions roll by on that parkway overhead and see your store(s) that's FREE advertising. You must be able to see the forest from the trees.

I've had supermarket Chinese Food as well as supermarket pizza. I'm pretty sure that both, if served to prisoners, would be a violation of the Geneve Conventions. The pizzeria and chinese food take-away have nothing to worry about.

You see John Lee, your childish writting is just sad. Let me get some common sence into you: Who will go to a Pizzaria for a sandwitch if you can get it faster, cheaper and with more variety at a supermarket? Why go to chinese restaurant if we can get some sushi or etc at a supermarket? Who will buy cigarettes or a morning paper at a deli if you have a supermarket accross the street? The center is finish. And let me ask you something why are you so in love with this new development in this redevelopment? And why are you so into it? Looks like you spent a whole day going back and forth fith Pat and now you doing that with me? What do you have to gain? Are you employed by the Center people?

My vested interest Bob is that I live in that area. I carry change on me for parking meters as most towns still have them among other uses, it is money after all. I never said I don't like people who carry change - my comment was directed to the idea that people won't shop in the center if they have to pay 25 cents to park. People pay to park and shop now so why would it be a problem post-development.

To your second point - do you really think people driving by on the parkway at speeds of at least 55 mph are gazing out their windows going 'oh look a new shop' or do you think they might be - I dunno - paying attention to driving ? There is a reason the BMW dealership had to build up to be at eye level to the traffic.

@satish : I clicked the little "email me replies and comments" thingamajig and each and every time somone posts some a misspelled rant that refers to me as hallucinating or some other personal attack I can respond, usually with facts, often with humor.

@Satish. You do know the word 'sandwitch" is spelled "sandwich"? If you're going to respond to comments, please show you are somewhat intelligent!!!

I didn't like the idea of a supermarket either, then someone explained to me that with the residences that will be such a large part of the redevelopment being so close to the train, the assumption is there will be enough residents w/o cars, so a supermarket is necessary. I still have mixed feelings. Many supermarkets have delivery service so perhaps a smaller specialty market would be a better fit.

bad assumption as is the assumption that there will be no children- there are a large number of 2 and 3 bedroom aprtments.

I love Bloomfield Center as well as its potential. Senorita's is a fave as is the cheesecake place. Love the southern restaurant.

I live in that area. I walk my dog there sometimes also. If I stop at the old Blimpies which is still making a go of it and I don't have a quarter for the meter I get back in the car and go somewhere else I once went into the grocery store on Bloomfield Ave. before it changed hands, appalling. To your point about the downtown redevelopment not being a great location...When the Avalon representative testified before the town council he said that his company, a multi-billion dollar publicly traded company, KNOWS that the location with it's proximity to the GSP and the Midtown Direct make it a UNIQUELY desirable location. It's time to stop selling Bloomfield short. The affordable housing stock we have make it possible for young couples that earn not paltry 6 figure salaries who have been priced out of NYC, its boroughs, Montclair, Hoboken, Jersey City etc. to consider moving here. It could be a great place. To achieve that we can't stick our heads in a hole. We must see the possibilities and strive to make this a better town. If you want a better town you have to attract better people and you can't do that when you think the status quo is enough, It's not. Within 3 blocks of our home there are 4 abandoned bank owned properties that have languished most unashamedly unattended by those banks. An armed robbery just took place around the corner last week, so don't tell me about this ward, pal. You think this is just fine? You are dead wrong. Make Bloomfield beautiful again!

Bob ~ I must take issue with "make Bloomfield beautiful again" So much of Bloomfield is beautiful - everything from the green and that gorgeous Presbyterian Church, to the murals on the rail bridges, to most of the Brookdale section, the cemetery and even several of the architecturally unique buildings. "let's make the rest of Bloomfield beautiful again" would have made your comment perfect. (its still the best on the tread, just needed that one extra word!)

John thank you for all your information on the latest construction "activity" at the site. Not bad for someone who does not live in town, does not know any ladmarks in town but yet knows day-to-day operations and a development of the hole in the ground on Glenwood Ave. Do you have a spy drone flying above and beaming you the footage?

sssshhhh. no one is supposed to know about the spy drones, let's keep them our secret, okay

@john lee. that man Heller is all about greed and his "supposed" concern with the traffic pattern is just his excuse to go to court to hold the redevelopment up

yes- this latest "holdup' is caused by heller but others were not...

they are back in court because of Heller, progress cannot go on if Heller keeps getting court orders to block it

@ Hannah. the only reason they are in court is because of Heller. If he wasnt so greedy, this project would have started over a year ago.

@Hannah. its obvious you, Pat Gilleran and others are ill informed of what is causing this holdup. perhaps you should do some research and direct your issues towards Mr Heller

If Cary Heller wants to stop Bill Colgan, who wants to develop the center... we have 2 people who want to develop one plot of land. Let them outbid each other to buy it and build on it. With all respect and seriousness, am I missing something technical or legal that prevents this from happening?